History
The single biggest factor behind Arrecife’s lack of pizzazz is that it only became the island’s capital in 1852. Until then, Teguise ruled supreme. Although Teguise is today a relatively modest town, its architectural heritage shows what Arrecife missed out on by being a port for the erstwhile capital.
In 1574 the Castillo de San Gabriel was first constructed (it was subsequently attacked and rebuilt) to protect the port. Its sister further up the coast, the Castillo de San José, was raised in 1771.
By the close of the 18th century, a semblance of a town had taken uncertain shape around the harbour. As its commerce grew and the threat of sea raids dropped off in the 19th century, Arrecife thrived. As the defensive imperatives for keeping the capital inland receded, the move of the island’s administration to Arrecife became inevitable.
Arrecife
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